ESPN takes a lot of flak, deservedly so, for being a bloated, self-promoting hype machine for the sports it covers. But it still provides outstanding coverage of college sports, especially the overlooked sister network ESPNU. So in the middle one of the biggest bubble nights of the year (Maryland-Miami, Baylor-Texas A&M, etc.), it was almost comical to see the network shift gears from the Duke-Georgia Tech game to a meaningless Spurs vs. Who-gives-a-crap NBA game.
I know they have the TV contract, and a responsibility to promote the league and all, but ESPN cannot run enough promo spots or highlight reels to get me – or any other sports fan – to care about the NBA. The product is sub-par and an insult to the purity of the college game. There is no certifiable reason why every year Tall Guy A is drafted over Two Inches Too Short Guy B except arm length and leaping ability. The fundamental abilities of dribbling, passing and shooting have taken a backseat to athleticism and potential. That’s fine, but that’s not good basketball. Between the officiating, dead crowds and indifferent players, the NBA is not basketball – its basketball-themed sports entertainment. The fans don’t give a crap and the players don’t give a crap – so why should casual fans care? Most of my close friends are either serious sports fans or certifiable sports nuts, and all but one has no meaningful connection with the NBA as a fan. Even the one who watches games on a casual basis tunes in only to see celebrity-athletes (in that order) absorb a 20-point loss with the same passion as someone who has to wait five extra minutes at Chipotle because more steak has to be cooked. To put it bluntly, when guys like me aren’t watching the NBA, you have a serious problem.
